SYRACUSE — Two key Syracuse city officials announced their resignations over the weekend.

City Manager Robert Rice and City Attorney Will Carlson are leaving.

“Bob was a mainstay,” said Mayor Jamie Nagle Monday morning. “We’re never gong to be able to replace him.”

She also had praise for Carlson.

“He was a tremendous asset to the city,” the mayor said. “He was the consummate professional. The city and I will miss him.”

Rice is leaving for a new job.

“I’m moving on to a bigger job that is a place more comparable for our family, closer to our family and friends,” he said.

In early August he will assume the role of director of operations for the Marine Corps Installation Command at the Pentagon.

“It’s kind of a dream retirement job for me,” he said. “I’ll be a civilian, won’t have to deploy, and get to take care of the Marines and their families.”

Rice said the Syracuse city staff is as “professional and competent as I’ve ever worked with.”

One of his achievements, he said, was to bring more professionalism to the city, including hiring of a full-time city attorney and city engineer.

Carlson has accepted a job as a prosecutor in the Salt Lake County Attorney’s Office. He was “hand-picked by (Salt Lake County Attorney) Sim Gill,” Rice said, adding, “Will is an extremely good attorney.”